People

Linda founded KTG in 1997 and is as close to our clients’ work as she was then. She is the ultimate decision-maker, cheerleader and source of inspiration to everyone at the agency. She is also a writer of three books co-authored with Robin Koval (Bang! Getting Your Message Heard in a Noisy World and The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness and The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference out this April). She is a frequent talk show guest and even a reality show host. Responsible for some of America’s most famous and iconic advertising, Linda’s BANG! philosophy has helped make KTG one of the fastest growing and most dynamic agencies in the US.

While Linda leads the creative charge, Robin oversees all account management, strategy, marketing and general business operations of the agency. From the beginning, she has pushed for solutions that grow brands, fought for the great idea and has been a strong proponent of non-traditional thinking. Robin has co-authored two national bestsellers, with Linda Kaplan Thaler: Bang! Getting Your Message Heard in a Noisy World and The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness.  Her third book with Linda, The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, debuts April 2009

Gerry, an original founding member of the agency, manages the day-to-day creative workflow as well as many operational aspects of KTG. Yes, she makes sure things get done, but as a former ACD and a Senior Partner at JWT, she has the creative savvy to recognize an idea that’s a game changer and then help make it happen..

Tricia has led Kaplan Thaler’s Corporate Communications department since 2001. She not only handles our agency communications but also helps generate publicity for our clients. She probably has the most sought after contacts list in the industry with the enviable ability to attract media coverage and celebrity attention, from Aflac “Quack Attacks” at “The Today Show”, to a Rolling Stone magazine cover featuring Jessica Simpson using a Swiffer.  Prior to joining Kaplan Thaler, Tricia served for four years as Executive Director of Corporate and Public Affairs at the MacManus Group. 

While you may have dreams about exotic locations, cars or models, Kevin sees decimal points in his dreams. That’s fitting, because he manages all financial functions of the agency, watching our money and yours. He joined KTG in early 2004 from our parent Publicis Groupe, where for four years he was Vice President of Corporate Finance handling mergers and acquisitions for Publicis. Prior to that, Kevin worked in Corporate Finance at The Lowe Group.

Lisa Bifulco is the Managing Director of Integrated Production at The Kaplan Thaler Group, and an original founding member of the agency. Lisa spearheads our clients’ cross-platform production needs, using her negotiating skills and eye for talent to get the right people for the job at the right price.  Her vast experience includes working with some of the most creative and celebrated directors and artists in the business.  Whether it’s for a television, radio or digital effort, when Lisa calls, results happen. Prior to joining KTG, Lisa ran her own company, offering creative and production services to the advertising and entertainment world.

“It doesn’t fit the strategy.” Those words are not heard often at KTG. That’s because Jeffrey Wolf’s insight and creativity inspire briefs that are surprising, intuitive and dead on target. He is a champion of growing brands and ideas by uncovering the key nugget that will get a consumer to sit up and take notice. Jeffrey has an impressive wealth of experience in categories ranging from pharmaceuticals to packaged goods. Before joining KTG, Jeffrey spent 11 years at Deutsch where he was Partner, Director of Account Planning.

Myles provides strategic counsel to KTG and its clients on all digital and experiential marketing efforts. He focuses on identifying and developing solutions that inform, entertain and engage in order to drive real business results. These days, engagement is the name of the game, so Myles focuses on taking brand messages and transforming them into brand experiences.  Whether it’s in the form of a Twitter game, a Facebook application, an annual restaurant week event, or an iPhone application, Myles helps KTG go beyond mere integration of cross-platform campaigns to get consumers to interact with brands through experiences with the goal of forming deep relationships that increase loyalty and generate brand advocacy. Prior to joining the Kaplan Thaler Group, Myles served as Senior VP and General Manager of Alloy Marketing & Promotions where he worked on Verizon Wireless, L’Oreal and Unilever, among many others.

Matthew joined KTG in 2009. As part of the executive leadership team, he is responsible for driving growth for the agency and leading all aspects of Business Development. With two wins already under his belt—-including the highly coveted Wendy’s business—-he is off to a strong start. Prior to joining KTG, Matthew was the SVP, Director of Business Development at Deutsch Inc., where he helped bring in blue-chip clients such as PNC Bank, Kodak, Anheuser-Busch, Prevacid, Olympus and USAA, to name a few. Early in his career he worked with Mad Dogs & Englishmen and The Martin Agency.

Dennis leads the unsung heroes of most ad agencies: the production studio. These folks make every client presentation and 2-D production job look spectacular. Thanks to him and his 20-person crew, KTG’s Graphic Services department has gained a reputation for delivering flawless execution for the agency’s clients, from a cocktail napkin for Continental Airlines, to a pair of giant billboards for Champion that appear outside of Madison Square Garden.